{"currencyCode":"USD","itemData":[{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":12.39,"ASIN":"B000002LSD","isPreorder":0},{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":13.99,"ASIN":"B00000IWMS","isPreorder":0},{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":10,"ASIN":"B00HNTOZT8","isPreorder":0}],"shippingId":"B000002LSD::SJgaCw0VLA3BHvWyYSpT0Ulnthw4lQiTgE9V2pKbCyjZIMu7Dn%2FSyVxiodMpT56QX%2F8aWJwxvevcWwa4vW%2Fim7x7M1V2pUgunXCrX6lxA7Y%3D,B00000IWMS::OC5YIuQIrG4N%2BjZdKjVAH%2B5HRR2XWMddLYohX%2Ffw%2FSF%2BR0%2Frn8Ai6RRI4EYiXoR420Z7GrCA5QJRHecggELWL1Vz5eg1hEmjAqEhK%2BlrAOE%3D,B00HNTOZT8::OC5YIuQIrG4N%2BjZdKjVAH1Um68Gk5P%2BkXn4yfurGJ%2BEbRMIK4GPO3zQGV7Drd92E2ab5Ffzp5qeQDU1Hpx2nfXqUJUs7LCYU1iyROIzQ6DQfnVB5mQzh%2BA%3D%3D","sprites":{"addToWishlist":["wl_one","wl_two","wl_three"],"addToCart":["s_addToCart","s_addBothToCart","s_add3ToCart"],"preorder":["s_preorderThis","s_preorderBoth","s_preorderAll3"]},"shippingDetails":{"xz":"same","xy":"same","yz":"same","xyz":"same"},"tags":["x","y","z","w"],"strings":{"addToWishlist":["Add to Wish List","Add both to Wish List","Add all three to Wish List","Add all four to Wish List"],"addToCart":["Add to Cart","Add both to Cart","Add all three to Cart","Add all four to Cart"],"showDetailsDefault":"Show availability and shipping details","shippingError":"An error occurred, please try again","hideDetailsDefault":"Hide availability and shipping details","priceLabel":["Price:","Price for both:","Price for all three:","Price For All Four:"],"preorder":["Pre-order this item","Pre-order both items","Pre-order all three items","Pre-order all four items"]}}

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

The concept of pairing talented sidemen with more reknowned guest musicians is not a new one, and more often than not the results are strangely flat. That is not the case here however. Flaco Jimenez along with his brother and father are famous bandleaders themselves in the world of conjunto and norteno border music. It was this notoriety that led to Flaco playing accordian on recordings from artists as diverse as Peter Rowan , The Texas Tornadoes and the Stones. On this wonderful CD, some of Flaco's biggest admirers repay the favor by appearing on his recording. Everything works here believe it or not. I always have some concern with Linda Ronstadt's interpretations of songs, but she's quite stunning on "Puente Roto". Steven Stills probably could have chosen something a little less dated to sing than "Change Partners",but hey, maybe it was Flaco's request and it'a a good 'un too. Everybody from Emmylou to Ry Cooder sounds like they're having a ball with there old friend Flaco.John Hiatt darn near steals the show with a lovely reading of his song "The Border". Los Lobos' David Hildago must be in heaven playing accordion with his hero on "Don't Worry Baby". And then there's Dwight Yoakum's cover of Warren Zevon's "Carmelita", a reading so poignant and heartfelt that it made me forget Zevon's pretty terrific version for a while. Country radio would never dare play "Carmelita" so you Yoakum fans will want to hear this.You'll be treating yourself to some splendid listening in the bargain.Nice job Flaco.

While Flaco is a national treasure, this record might seem as a bit of a dicey proposition: Hook Flaco up with a bunch of people on the Warner roster and see what happens.

The results are almost perfect.

The high point is Dwight Yoakam guesting on the definitive read of Warren Zevon's "Carmelita," with a performance that is reason enough to buy this disc.

Other high points include a great read of "Marina," "Las Golondrinas," and his father's "Eres Un Encanto." "El Puente Roto" is wonderful as a duet with Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris absolutely glows on "West Texas Waltz." The only thing wrong with the John Hiatt track, "Across The Borderline," is that being sequenced in the middle of the record, it almost gets lost.

Stephen Stills sounds fine on his "Change Partners," but they play it too fast. Ry Cooder is featured on "The Girls From Texas" (w/ Jim Keltner on drums). While it's a fun read, the playing comes off as studied and stiff. Los Lobos show up on "Don't Worry Baby," but don't really ignite (like their cover of "Bertha," on the Grateful Dead tribute "Deadicated").

Overall, a great record that serves as a easy introduction for North of the Border audiences, giving a little taste of Authentic Northern Mexican (Or Tex-Mex, depending on your view) to go along with your regular fare.

I bought this cd years ago after I got into the Texas Tornados first release. I loved this cd! It moves and grooves.He recruited 'partners' Stephan Stills ("Change Partners") Dwight Yoakum (on "Carmelita") and the always fabulousLinda Ronstadt(on "Puente Roto").I loved all the songs and was pleasently surprised at how versatile he is, and how he blends in so smoothly on all the tracks. It seems an effortless project...Definitely one for the collection!

An old joke goes that a person has "both" kinds of music if they have both country AND western. However, Texas music, being a little of both, and a lot of neither, really is a class by itself. And nobody does Texas music better than Flaco Jimenez and partners. And while not all of the partners may live in, or be from, Texas their careers are very much in the spirit of the music, dispensing with the glitz and glamor of Nashville and Los Angeles' media empires which tend to smother fresh organic music.

The genius of this album is one of balance. Flaco's accordion neither overwhelms nor is overshadowed by the lights of such artists as Emmylou Harris, Linda Rhonstadt, and Dwight Yoakam. Rather each complements the performance of the other perfectly. The result is an achievement which should stand as classics of the Texas Music genre. Yoakam's rendition of "Carmelita", in particular, is definitive in my estimation.

Sadly, Mr. Jimenez health is now failing, and the prospects of future performances is somewhat in question. At least his works are still widely available, waiting to be (re-)discovered by a public weary of the same dismal sounds pushed by a moribund music industry.

If you know Flaco Jimenez, you probably know the "partners" here. And if you know these partners, you need to have this record. If you are new to Tex-Mex music or to these artists, it is worth getting this record for an education, as these are some of the very best out there. This is not mainstream music. It isn't bohemian, either. It's just under the radar of the general public. You won't impress many people by listening to this. It is not a badge of eclecticism. It is just a damned good record with infectious, wonderful music.